Trick or what?

Young voters who might be slacking off on their civic duty might be prompted to mark and mail their ballots on Halloween with a get out the vote effort organizers are calling "Trick or Vote."

Washington Bus and NextUp Spokane, a pair of non-profits, will be doiong several things young voters may like better than voting -- going to a bar, wearing costumes around neighborhoods, going back to a bar for music -- on Oct. 31 in Spokane.

They'll gather at the nYne Bar and Bistro, 232 E. Sprague at 3 p.m. for some pointers, then head out with "walking lists" of key precincts which will tell them where voters aged 18-35 who haven't voted are living. (You can get lists like this from the Spokane County elections office.)

They'll knock on those doors, greet residents with "trick or vote" and hand over some information on who supports and who opposes the ballot measures. Nothing on the candidates, but if asked they'll be able to mention the voters go to the on-line guides.

Alayna Becker of Washington Bus says the number one excuse for young voters who don't vote is "I just forgot about it." This gives volunteers a chance to remind them to grab the ballot off the desk or counter (or fish it out of the trash) and get it done.

Volunteers will return to the bar at 7 p.m. for a Halloween party.

As mentioned previously in this space, Spin Control is skeptical of efforts to boost young voter turnout. But this item does allow us to post the video above that spoofs the Christine O'Donnell "I'm not a witch" ad (even though it is a stretch.